In our neck of the woods, it is a beautiful fall day.  Comfortable temperatures and clear skies.  Mountains are gleaming and leaves are just starting to turn today, great time of year!!

I was in the gym area of Water’s Edge.  I looked up as a man walked in and did a double take.  The man was a spittin’ image for Paul Nagy, a young Paul, but the resemblance was amazing.

Paul was our Chief of Police from the late 1970’s into the mid-1980’s, he passed away from an intestinal situation.  I introduced myself to the man and asked him if he had ever heard of the resemblance, he hadn’t, but did know of Paul.

I have heard the old saw that everyone has a double somewhere on earth – and I do know that people do have similar characteristics and can be mistaken for someone else, but I really think that is the first time I have seen someone so closely resembling someone else.

I have to really thank Teresa for getting my e-mail working again.  I can’t figure out what happened, it just all of a sudden stopped me from sending and receiving.  She worked a couple of hours and finally got it fixed.

I am very fortunate to have children – and their spouses - that not only have real skills, but are willing to share them with me.

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1 Corinthians 2:14  KJV  “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

I sometimes forget that not everyone can get excited about verses from the Bible.  They just don’t ‘see’ it.

I see where God has done miraculous things and praise Him, someone else reads the same thing and ‘might’ say, that is nice, or interesting or it couldn’t have happened.

Now, certain verses strike us differently at different times.  A verse we may know well, but haven’t been all that interested in suddenly comes alive and has special meaning to us at that time.

I have read verses several times and didn’t ‘see’ the significance at those times.  Circumstances, maturity, growth or challenges often time make the difference.

But this verse isn’t referring to new insights, it is saying that the Bible is meant for those that are searching for spiritual meaning, and are looking at God to provide it. 

Now, we know that the Word can bring people to their knees as they accept Jesus as their Savior; even though they had no relationship or even religious experiences before.

But those that choose to look at the Bible as just another book, or have tried to use God’s Word in a way to try and discourage others from believing in it really can’t see the spiritual significance in God’s Word.

They look at ‘practical’ reasons for the miracles in the Bible.  Jesus didn’t really feed the 5000 from a small basket, the sacrifice of the young boy encouraged others to share.  Moses didn’t really have the Red Sea parted, they walked across a part of the sea that was low at that time of year, and their trying to find practical reasons for it blind them from the reality of God’s hand.

Their eyes are blinded.  They really cannot see!

We often get discouraged because we just don’t understand that fact. 

We think that we are not being effective witnesses.  However, we don’t know what ground we have plowed for others that to also till, deeper, others to add the water and fertilizer, others to care for them and then finally their eyes are open and they can then understand that the Bible is more than just words, it is insightful and shines God’s light so they can truly understand.

I will get excited about God’s Word.  I will continue to praise Him for His many blessings and teachings in His Word.  And I will not allow someone else’s unbelief to discourage or detract me from that wonderful experience I share with God and my fellow  believers.

Later, Art (-: